New Washington, D.C. Mayor Bowser may deviate from the prior administration by not supporting the expansion of the streetcar line. This is a double-blow to streetcar advocates, as Mayor Gray had already pared down the new streetcar's expansion plans.
"In a significant departure from the previous administration, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is not committed to extending the District’s first streetcar line since 1962 beyond the opening 2.2-miles along H Street and Benning Road Northeast, jeopardizing plans her predecessor viewed as the lynchpin for the city’s future economic development and multi-modal transportation," writes WAMU transportation reporter, Martin Di Caro.
What is left of former Mayor Vincent Gray’s vision of a priority streetcar system — pared down from 22 to 8 miles by D.C. Council funding cuts last year — is the subject of an internal review.
Lines to Georgetown and Anacostia would potentially be eliminated. "The administration’s focus right now is getting the H Street line up and running as soon as it is safe to do so," writes Di Caro. "Long-term plans for Streetcar will be made following that,” said Bowser spokesman Michael Czin.
Di Caro writes that cutting limiting the streetcar line to "the borders of a single neighborhood is deflating for transit advocates who were once excited by the prospect of nearly two dozen miles of streetcar tracks crisscrossing Washington. Some are now questioning whether a 2.2-mile line would have any value, especially considering it has cost more than $160 million to build."
FULL STORY: Bowser Administration Considering Killing D.C. Streetcar Expansion Plans

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
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California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.
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